Identify the effect on the graph of replacing f(x) by f(x) + k, k f(x), f(kx), and f(x + k) for specific values of k (both positive and negative); find the value of k given the graphs. Experiment with cases and illustrate an explanation of the effects on the graph using technology. Include recognizing even and odd functions from their graphs and algebraic expressions for them.

Warm up and Homework Check

10 minutes

I include Warm upswith a Rubricas part of my daily routine. My goal is to allow students to work on Math Practice 3 each day. Grouping students into homogeneous pairs provides an opportunity for appropriately differentiated math conversations. This lesson’s Warm Up- Absolute Value Functions Day 1 asks students to create their own questions from a scenario.

I also use this time to correct and record the previous day's Homework.

Warm Up- Absolute Value Functions Day 1

Absolute Value Functions Day 1, Video Narrative, Warm Up

Warm ups

Homework

Warm up Rubric

Student Grouping

Introduction to Absolute Value Functions

7 minutes

This is the first day of a two-day lesson. I have included the entire (2-day) PowerPoint, (with two separate exit tickets) as an option if the first day goes faster than expected. This way you can simply continue to as far as your class gets.

This lesson begins with a simple scenario. The average monthly temperature for January in a northern Canadian city is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. I ask the students to create a chart that shows the difference between a set of daily temperatures and the average and then graph this information. We discuss the function that models this distance (Math Practice 4). The purpose of this short activity is to allow the students to recall their conceptual knowledge of absolute value and connect it to its graph on a coordinate plane.

This is an appropriate time to discuss the shape of the absolute value graph. Why does it have a “v” shape? How does it relate to f(x)=x? I ask the class some leading questions to get a class discussion.

PowerPoint- Absolute Value Functions Day 1

Chart- Absolute Value Functions Day 1

Translations of Absolute Value Functions

15 minutes

Today’s lesson is my students’ first experience with transformation of functions. We revisit this concept repeatedly in subsequent units for each separate parent function. We begin with first vertical and then horizontal Translations. My students use graphing calculators to explore each one (Math Practice 5) and then write a statement generalizing how each affects the parent function (Math Practice 7). We then discuss these statements as a class. For horizontal translations, I ask my students why these move opposite to the sign in the equation. This is a good place to use a think-pair-share. It may be a good idea here to rewrite the function like: f(x) – c = abs(x – b). This may help the students reason out why the horizontal translation goes opposite while the vertical translation doesn't seem to.

Please see the PowerPoint for detailed presentation notes.

Translations- Absolute Value Functions Day 1

Reflections, Stretches, and Shrinks of Absolute Value Functions

My students perform a similar procedure as in the last section for Reflections, Stretches, and Shrinks. We start with the reflection f(x) = -abs(x). I have also included the function f(x) = abs(-x). I ask them to predict the transformation given the previous reflection. Some may be surprised at the result. This is a great place to do a think-pair-share on why the graph didn’t seem to change (Math Practice 2).

Now the students look at stretches. This should be run similarly to the translations. The only difference is that the students need both a general and specific knowledge of what is happening. Generally, they should know that the bigger the number, the narrower the graph. More specifically, they should know that when something is multiplied by a four, it is four times taller. I have them investigate and then write a general statement about this.

Once they have a decent idea of stretches, I introduce shrinks. This throws a kink into the statement they just wrote. This is a great example of the need for precision (Math Practice 6). I have them rewrite their generalization with this new information. At this point, I ask for a volunteer to share theirs as a working model. The students analyze this definition for completeness. If the students are feeling lost, I ask a guiding question like: “Does this clear about what happens with both numbers bigger than one and numbers smaller than one?”, or “Is it enough to say a number smaller than one?”

Reflections, Stretches, and Shrinks- Absolute Value Functions Day 1

Exit Ticket

3 minutes

I use an exit ticket each day as a quick formative assessment to judge the success of the lesson.

This Exit Ticket asks students to write and graph a function that uses two of the transformations that they have learned.